16-fluoro steroids of the pregnane series



United States Patent 3,016,392 16-FLUORO STEROIDS OF THE PREGNANE SERIES Barney J. Magerlein, Portage Township, Kalamazoo County, and Robert D. Birkenmeyer and Fred Kagan,

Kalamazoo, Mich, assignors to The Upjohn Company,

Kalamazoo, Mich., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed. Jan. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 1,422 22 Claims. (Cl. 260397.45)

This invention relates to novel 16a-fluoro and 16,3-fiuoro steroids.

The novel compounds of this invention are represented by the formula:

til X CH3,"

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, R is hydrogen or the acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid, particularly a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms,

inclusive, X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and fluorine and Z is selected consisting of methyl and fluorine.

In this application the wavy line appearing at the 16- from the group position represents a generic expression including the alpha (a) and beta (5) configuration.

The compounds of Formula I possess useful therapeutic properties. They possess anti-inflammatory, glucocordticoid, progestational activity and in addition have a favorable effect on salt and water balance.

The compounds of Formula I are useful in the treatment of inflammatory conditions of mammals and birds and are particularly useful in the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the skin, eyes and ears of humans and of valuable domestic animals, as well as contact dermatitis and other allergic reactions.

Administration of the novel steroids of Formula I can be in conventional dosage forms, such as pills, tablets, capsules, syrups, or elixirs for oral use, or in liquid forms which are adaptable to the natural and synthetic cortical steroid hormones for injectab-le products. The novel compounds of Formula I can also be administered topically in the form of ointments, creams, lotions, and the like, with .or without coacting antibiotics, germicides or other materials forming advantageous combinations therewith.

The novel 160a and 16,8 epimeric forms of the l6-fiuoro- 21-desoxy-A -pregnadienes, such as,

3,2 0-dione and the l7-acylates thereof,

6a-rnethyl-9u,16-difiuoro 11,8,l7a-dihydroxy 1,4-preg- 7 3,016,392 Fatented .Fan. 9, 1962 ice wherein Ac is the acyl radical of an organic carboxylic acid, particularly a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid contaming from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive, and R, X and Z have'the, same meaning previously given.

This invention also relates to the ll-keto compounds, otherwise corresponding to the compounds of Formula I;

This invention further relates to those compounds, other- Wise corresponding to the compounds depicted and described above, including the ll-keto compounds, in which the 6-position is unsubstituted, .that is, hydrogen is present at the 6-position rather than methyl or fluorine. The 6- unsubstituted compounds possess the same activities of the 6-substituted compounds, though to a modified degree.

The starting steroids for the process of this invention, the compounds of Formula II, such as, Ga-methyI-IQB- fluoroand 6a-rnethyl-16tx-fluoro-2l-iodo-l15,17ot-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione and 6a-methyl-9a,16fldihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione, are disclosed in copending application Serial No. 1,449, filed January 11, 1960, of even date herewith.

The process of the present invention comprises treating compounds of the type represented by Formula II,

2l-iodo-1lB,17u-dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione and 6a-methyl-9a,l6B-difluoroand 6ot-methyl-9m,l6 x-difluoro-2l-iodo-1113,17a-dihydr0xy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20- dione, with a reducing agent, such as, Zinc dust, sodium thiosulfate, sodium bisulfite, or the like, preferably sodium thiosulfate, in an aqueous organic solvent, for example, acetic acid, methyl alcohol, dioxane, dimethylformamide, preferably acetic acid, to obtain the compounds of Formula III,'such as, 6a-methyl-l6fi-fluoroand 6oc-methyl-l6a-fluoro-l1 8,17a-dihydroxy-l,4pregnadiene-3,20-dione and 6a-methyl-9a,l6fi-difluoroand 60emethyl-9a,16e-difluoro-11B,17a-dihydroxy 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione. The thus obtained compounds of For- .mula III are recovered from the reaction mixture and purified by conventional methods, such as, for example, dilution of the reaction mixture with water, extraction with a water-immiscible solvent, such as, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, benzene, toluene, and the like, or a combination of these, followed by chromatography and/ or crystallization.

The compounds of Formula III are converted to the l7-acylated compounds of Formula IV, such as, 6stmethyl-16,B-fluoroand 6ix-methyl-l6a-fluoro-l15,17ot-dihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione 21-acetate and 6amethyl-9e,l6,li'-difiuoroand 6a-rnethyl-9e,16e-difluorol1B,17ot-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione ll-acetate, by reacting the compounds of Formula III with formic acid or with the anhydride or halide of an acid, such as, a saturated straight-chain aliphatic acid, e.g., acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, hexanoic, lauric, a saturated branched-chain aliphatic acid, e.g., trimethylacetic, isobutyric, isovaleric, tertiary butylacetic, a cycloaliphati'c saturated acid, e.g., B-cyclopentyl-propionic, cyclohexanecarboxylic, cyclohexylacetic, an alkaryl acid, e.g'., benzoic, phenylacetic, l3-phenylpropionic, m-, p-toluic, a saturated dibasic acid (which can be convert-ted into water-soluble, e.g., sodium, salts), e.g., succinic, adipic, a mono-basic unsaturated acid, e.g., acrylic, crotonic, undecylenic, propiolic, undecolic, cinnamic, dibasic unsaturated acids (which can be converted into watersoluble, e.g., sodium, salts), e.g., maleic and citraconic, or the like, in the presence of an esterification catalyst, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, perchloric acid and the like, preferably p-toluenesulfonic acid, and a solvent which is preferably the acid corresponding to the anhydride used. Inert organic solvents such as ether, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, benzene and the like, can also be used in carrying out the 17-acylation. The 17-acylation is carried out at a temperature of from about 0 to about 75 C., preferably at about 25 C. Completion of the reaction can take from several minutes to several hours depending on the temperature, the acylating agent and the steroid employed. Following the 17-acylation reaction,the compounds of Formula IV are recovered from the reaction mixture and purified by conventional methods, such as, for example, those described above for the recovery and purification of the compounds of Formula III.

The compounds of Formulas III and IV can be oxidized to the corresopnding ll-keto compounds. The oxidation can be carried out by a Variety of methods, such as, for example, by oxidizing a selected steroid in acetic acid solution with chromium trioxide, using molar quantities or a slight excess, such as, from 10 to 30% excess, or by oxidizing with a haloamide or haloimide of an acid such as N-bromoacetamide, N-chlorosuccinirnide or N- brornosuccinimide dissolved in pyridine, dioxane or other suitable solvents. At the conclusion of the desired oxidation reaction, the excess oxidant is generally destroyed by addition of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol and the like. for the chromic acid oxidant or a bisulfite for N- bromoacetamide, N-bromosuccinimide and other N-halo acyl amides and imides. Thereafter, the resulting ll-keto compound is recovered, by conventional means, such as, for example, those described above for the recovery and purification of the compounds of Formula III,

The following examples are illustrative of the products and process of this invention. In the examples which follow, the numeral following the name of the compound is used to indicate the relation of the compound to the reaction scheme depicted and described above.

} EXAMPLE 1 6a-methyl-16a-flu0r0-l 1B,] 7a-dz'hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene- 3,20-di0ne (Illa) 400 mg. of 6u-methyl-16ot-fluoro-21-iodo-l1,8,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-prgnadiene-3,ZO-dione (Ila) is dissolved in 8 ml. of acetic acid and stirred for about 45 minutes. A solution of 400 mg.- of sodium thiosulfate in 4 ml. of

water is added to the acetic acid solution, then ml. of ice and water is added. The resulting solid is isolated by filtration, dissolved in about 40 ml. of methylene chloride and poured onto a 40 gm. Florisil (synthetic magnesium silicate) chromatographic column. The chromatographic column is developedby eluting with Skellysolve B hexanes containing increasing amounts of acetone. The eluate fractions are freed of solvent. Those fractions which on the basis of the weight profile constitute the major crystalline fraction are recrystallized from acetone to give 60t-l'116lIhY1-160t-fi1101'0-1113,1706-dlhY- droxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (IIItx), a crystalline solid.

Similarly, substituting 6a-methyI-9a,16a-difluoro-21- iodo-l1,6,i7e-dihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione in the above example is productive of 6a-methyl-9a,16u-difiuoro-l 1 B, l7a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (Illa) a crystalline solid.

In like manner, substituting 6a-methyl-l6 8-fluoro-2liodo-l1B,17ix-dihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20 dione and 6a-methyl9u,16,6-difluoro-21-iodo-l l,B,l7a-dihydroxy-1,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione is productive of 6a-methyl-l6fifiuoro-l1p,l7a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione and 6a-methyl-9a,16fi-difluoro 116,170: dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

Similarly, substituting the 16a and 165 epirneric forms of 6a,16-difiu0r0-21-i0dO-1 1,8,17a-dihydr0xy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione,

16-fluoro-21-iodo-11,8,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,

20-dione,

6a,9a,16-trifluoro-21-iodo-l 1/3,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3 ,20-dione, I 9a,16-difluoro-2l-iodo-l1 8,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadione-3 ,ZO-dione, 2,6a-dimethyl-16-fluoro-2l-iodo-l1u,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-

pregnadiene-3,20-dione, 2-inethyl-6a,16-difluoro-21-iodo-1 1fl,17ot-dll1ydI'OXy-1,4-

pregnadiene-3,20-dione, 2-methyl-16-fluoro-2l-iodo-l1 3,l7a-dihydroxy-1A-pregnadiene-3,20-di0ne, 2,6a-dimethyl-9a,16-difiuoro-21-iodo-l1fl,17a-dihydroxyl,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione, 2-methyl-6a,9a,l6-trifluoro-21-iodo-11p,17a-dihydroxy- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione, and 2-methyl-9u,16-difluoro-21-iodo-1 1fi,17q-dihydroxy-1,4-

pregnadiene-3,20-dione is productive of the a and 16,6 epirneric forms of 6a,16-difluoro-11,6,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-

dione, 16-fluoro-1 113,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3 ,ZO-dioue 9a,16-difluoro-11,8,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-

and ml. of acetic acid is stirred at 25 C. under a stream of nitrogen for about 3 hours. The mixture is poured with vigorous stirring into 500 ml. of water. The precipitated solid is separated by filtration, dried, and the 600 methyl 16a fiuoro 115,170: dihydroxy 1,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione 17-acetate (IVa) thus obtained is recrystallized from ethyl acetate.

Substituting another hydrocarbon carboxylic acid anhydride for the acetic anhydride is productive of other 60:- methyl 16a fluoro 11 6,1704 dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione 17-acylates, such as, for example, the 17-propionate, the 17-butyrate, the 17-valerate, the 17- hexanoate, the 17-laurate, the 17-trimethylacetate, the 17- isobutyrate, the l7-isovalerate, the 17-tertiarybutylacetate, the 17-(fi-cyclopentylpropionate), the 17-cyclohexanecarboxylate, the 17-cyclohexylacetate, the 17-benzoate, the l7-phenylacetate, the 17-(fl-phenylpropionate), the 17- (o-, m, p-toluate), the 17-hemisuccinate, the -17'-hemi adipate, the 17-acrylate, the l7-crotonate, the 17-propiolate, the 17-(2-butynoate), the l7-undecolate, the 17-cinnamate, the 17-maleate, and 17-citraconate, and the like, and with formic acid, the l7-formate.

Similarly, 6or-methyl-9m,l6-difluoro-11B,l7a-dihydroxy- 1,4 pregnadiene 3,20 dione, 6a-methyl-16fi-fiuoro-1 1B, l7a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione and Goa-methyl- 90:,16/3 difluoro 113,170 dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione are converted to their 17-acetates and other 17-acylates, such as those named in the preceding paragraph, by substituting the appropriate steroid free 17-alcohol for Ga-IIIGthYl-lGu-flHOIO-l1fi,l7oL-dihydI'0Xy- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

Likewise, substituting the 16st and 16,8 epimeric forms of 6a,16-difluoro-l113,Nor-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3, 20-dione,

EXAMPLE 3 The ZI-keto compounds 7 f A solution is prepared containing 0.5 g. of 6u-methyl- 16cc fluoro 1113,17 dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene 3, 20-dione, 0.15 g. of chromium trioxide, 10 ml; of glacial acetic acid and /2 ml..of water. This mixtureis stirred and maintained at roomftemperature for about 8 hours.

Thereafter, the excess oxidant is destroyed by addition of methanol and the mixture is poured into 50 ml. of ice water. The resulting precipitate is collected on a filter and recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give 6a-methyl- 16u-fluoro-l7a-hydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione, a

crystalline solid.

17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione are converted to the 17-acylates of 6a-methyl-16a-fluoro-17a-hydroxy l,4-pregnadiene-3,l1,20-trione.

In like manner, 6u-methyl-16p-fluoro-11/8,17a-dihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (and the 17-acylates thereof), and 6a-methyl-9a,16p-difluoroand 6a-methyl- 900,16ot-dlfll10l0 115,17m dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-,

3,20-dione (and the 17-acylates thereof) are converted to Ga-methyl-l6fl-fluoro-17a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3, 11,20-trione (and the 17-acylates thereof) and 6u-methyl- 9a,16fl-difluoroand 6oc-methyl-9oc,16oc-diflUOIO-l7oc-hY- droxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione (and the 17-acylates thereof).

Likewise, substituting the 16m and 16B epimeric forms of 60;,16 difluoro-l 1,3,17a-dihydroxy 1,4-pregnadiene-3, 20-dione (and the 17-acylates thereof) l6-fluoro-1 1,6,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (and the 17-acylates thereof),

6a,9a, 1 6-trifluoro-1 1B,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene- 3,20-dione (and the 17-acylates thereof),

:,16-difl1101O-1 1,8,Nor-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-

dione (and the 17-acylates thereof),

2,6u-dirnethyl-l 6-fluoro-l 1B,17or-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (and the l7-acylates thereof),

2-methyl-6a,16-difiucro-11B,l7a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (and the l7-acylatesthereof),

Z-rnethyl- 1 6-fluoro-1 l ,8, 17u-dihydroxy- 1 ,4-pregnadiene- 3,20-dione (and the 17-acylates thereof),

2,6u-dimethyl-9u,16-difluoro-1 1;3,17a-dihydroxy-1 ,4-

pregnadiene-3,20-dione (and the 17-acylates thereof),

2-methyl-6a,9a, l 6-trifluoro-1 113,17u-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (and the 17-acylates thereof), and

2-methyl-9u,16-difluoro-l 1fi,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadione-3,20-dione (and the 17-acylates thereof) is productive of the 16m and 16/3 epimeric forms of 6a,16-difluoro-l7a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3 ,1 1,20-trione (and the 17-acylates thereof), 16-fluoro-17a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3 ,1 1,20-trione (and the 1 7-acylates thereof), 6a,9a,16-trifiuoro-l7a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,l l,

20-trione (and the 17-acylates thereof), 9a,16-diflu0r0-17a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3 ,l1,20-trione (and the 17-acylates thereof), 2,6a-dirnethyll6-fiuoro l7a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene- 3,11,20-trione (and the 17-acylates thereof), 2-rnethyl-6a,16-difiuoro-17a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,

11,20-trione (and the 17-acylates thereof), 2-n1ethyl-16-fluoro-17a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,

ZO-trione (and the 17-acylates thereof), 2,6a-dimethyl-9a,16-difluoro-17bt-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadione-3,11,20-trione (and the 17-acylates thereof), 2-methyl-6a,9u,16-trifluoro-l7a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadione-3,11,20-trione (and the 17-acylates thereof), and

2-methyl-9a, l 6-difluoro-17a-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene- 3,11,20-trione (and the 17-acylates thereof), respectively.

The above described l6-fluoro-11-keto compounds possess the same activities as the corresponding l6-fiuoroll 8-hydroxy compounds, though to a modified degree,

We claim: 1

1. A l6-fluoro steroid represented by the formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive, X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and fluorine, and Z is selected from the group consisting of methyl and fluorine.

2. 6a-methyl-16-fluoro-115,17a-dihydroXy-L4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione and the 17-acylates thereof, whereina the acyl radical is that ot a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive.

3. 6a-methyl-16a-fluoro-l1/3,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

4 Ga-m6thYI-16a-flllOrO-l1B,17oc-llhYdIOXY-1 ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 17-ac'etate.

5. fiat-methyl 911,16 difluoro-115,17a-dihydroxy-l,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione and the 17-acylates therenf, where-- in the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid. containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive.

7. 6a-methyl-9u,la-difluoro-l 1 ,B,17m-dihydroxy-1, t;- pregnadiene-3,20-dione 17-acetate.

8. 6d,16"-difluoro-1 15,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiener 3,20-dione and the 17-acylates thereof, wherein the anyk radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid 00211221111: ing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive.

9. 6a,16adifi1lOIO-1 1p,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

10. 6a,16o=-difiuoro-115,17a-dihydroXy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 17-acetate.

11. 6a,9a,16-trifiuoro-1118,l7oc-dihydroXy-L4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione and the 17-acy1ates thereof, wherein the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive. 7

12. 6a,9a,16o-trifluoro-1113,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

13. 6a,9a,16a-trifluoro-115,17a-dihydroXy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 17-acetate.

14. A 16-fluoro steroid represented by the formula:-

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyL'R' is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carfboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive, X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and fluorine, and Z is selected from the group consisting of methyl and fluorine.

15. A 16-fluoro steroid represented by the formula:

CH3 oro on no? W F wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms,inclusive, and X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and fluorine.

16. 16 flnoro 115,17a dihydroxy 1,4 pregnad1ene-3,2G-dione and the 17-acylates thereof, wherein the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive.

17. 16a fiuoro 1113,1711 dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

l8. 16cc fluoro 11fi,17oc dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione 17-acetate.

l9. 9a,16 difluoro 11,8,17oc dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,2()-dione and the l7-acylates thereof, wherein the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive.

20. 9a,16a difluoro 11,8,17a dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

21. ,l6oc difluoro 115,170: dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3,20-dione l7-acetate.

22. A l6-fluoro steroid represented by the formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from '1 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive, and X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and fluorine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent No. 9 392 January 9 1962 Barney J. Magerlein et al.

- It is hereby certified that error appears in the above humbe'r'ed patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column l,' lines 40 and 4:1 for "glucocordticoid" read glucocorticoid line 68,, for 2methy-" read 2-methylsame column l line 71, for "l9q,l6-" read --'9q 16- column 3, line 46, for 'corresopnding" read corresponding column 4, line 64, for "-6 1,9 1l6"' read ---6a 9a l6- column 7 lines 38 to 50, the formula should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

column 8, lines 36 to 47 the formula should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent: CH3

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of May 1962.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A 16-FLUORO STEROID REPRESENTED BY THE FORMULA:
 14. A 16-FLUORO STEROID REPRESENTED BY THE FORMULA: 